Shropshire

Shropshire's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, health and work life.

The population reached nearly 310,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Shropshire increased by 8.1%, from just over 283,000 to 306,000.

The addition of almost 23,000 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Shropshire was home to, on average, 0.69 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This made it the West Midlands' second-least densely-populated unitary authority.

Population density was lower than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Shropshire

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Shropshire increased by three years, from 41 to 44 years.

This remote area had a higher average age than the West Midlands and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 11,000 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 7,000.

About 14% of people in Shropshire are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Shropshire by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More adults are separated from partners

Shropshire saw the West Midlands' second-largest rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

In 2011, just over one in nine (12%) people aged 16 and over in Shropshire said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner, compared with 9.7% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 56% to 52%.

Across the region, only Staffordshire Moorlands saw a greater rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner (from 8.8% to 11%).

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner, as the regional average grew from 10% to 11%.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was higher than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in Shropshire

The percentage of Shropshire residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.0% to 3.7% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 13 (7.5%) reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 7.6% in 2001. The percentage of Shropshire residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 89% to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 3.5% in 2001 to 4.2% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Shropshire, but at a slower rate than in nearby Telford and Wrekin.

In Shropshire, the proportion of private renting increased from 11% in 2001 to 15% in 2011. During the same period, the

Across the West Midlands, the share of privately rented homes increased from 7.3% to 14%.

The rate of social housing in Shropshire fell from 14% to 13%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 72% to 69%.

Private renting in Shropshire increased by 4.2 percentage points

Percentage of households in Shropshire, the West Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Shropshire residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.5% to 5.0% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of Shropshire residents that described their health as fair decreased from 22% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 9.7% in 2001 to 6.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Shropshire decreased by 3.4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Shropshire, the West Midlands and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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